Class 8 Net Orders Remain Strong, Says ACT

Posted on May 21, 2013

Class 8 truck orders remained above 20,000 units for a seventh consecutive month in April, rising to their second highest volume in 16 months, according to information from ACT Research, the Indiana-based publisher of commercial vehicle (CV) industry data for the North American and Chinese markets.

April Class 8 net orders totaled just over 23,200 units, while medium-duty net orders totaled 16,740 units, the best order volume in six months and the second best in the past 26, ACT said.

Class 8 orders year-to-date bound for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico all continue to trend above year ago levels, ACT said. “Demand from Mexico is particularly strong,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president & senior analyst. “Class 8 cancellations remained in record low territory in April, which is a positive indicator for stronger demand.

“As has been the case this cycle, backlogs for the medium duty market remain thin relative to build. Per-day build hit its second highest level in a year in April.”